1873 Shield Nickel

The story of the 1873

Philadelphia made 4,549,100 in 1873, down from 6 million in 1872. The next year it made 3.5 million (1874).

No other mint struck it for circulation that year, so every 1873 you find is from Philadelphia.

Philadelphia struck the Shield Nickel in 17 issues between 1866 and 1883. By mintage this one lands in the more common half, while the key for that mint is the 1880 (16,000). Within the 1870s it's 6th smallest of 8, between the 1874 (3.5 million) and the 1870 (4.8 million).

Open 3, Closed 3 and the proof only years (1873 to 1878)

The 1873 date punch first had a Closed 3 that looked too much like an 8, so it was replaced by an Open 3 during the year. Both varieties exist. The Closed 3 is scarcer and includes a doubled date. The Panic of 1873 and the lingering surplus of minor coins cut demand. Output fell from 3.5 million in 1874 to between 2 and 2.5 million in 1875 and 1876.

In 1877 and 1878 no nickels were struck for circulation. Only proofs were made, about 900 in 1877 and 2,350 in 1878, which makes these dates key coins for anyone completing the series. Lower grade examples exist because some proofs were spent. Business strikes from 1874 to 1876 are relatively scarce and are usually seen with moderate wear, often with the weak strike typical of the type.

Elsewhere in US coinage in 1873

The Coinage Act of 1873 ended the two-cent piece, the three-cent silver, the half dime and the standard silver dollar. It also created the trade dollar for commerce in Asia. Arrows were added beside the date of dimes, quarters and halves to mark a small weight change. Critics later called the act the "Crime of '73" for dropping the silver dollar.